If you've ever asked "what is Section 508?" — you're not alone. Section 508 is a US federal law that requires all federal agencies and their contractors to make their information and communication technology (ICT) accessible to people with disabilities. It was enacted in 1998 as an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Section 508 — from its meaning and requirements to who must comply and how to check if your website is Section 508 compliant.

What is Section 508? — Definition & Overview

Section 508 is a section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, added in 1998. It requires that all information and communication technology (ICT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities.

Section 508 applies to:

• Websites — Federal agency websites must be accessible
• Software — Software used by federal employees must be accessible
• Hardware — Computers, kiosks, and other ICT must be accessible
• Documents — PDFs, Word documents, and other files must be accessible
• Multimedia — Videos and audio must have captions and transcripts

Section 508 Requirements — What You Need to Know

1. WCAG 2.0 Level AA is the Standard

The "508 Refresh" (2018) updated Section 508 to reference WCAG 2.0 Level AA as the technical standard. While WCAG 2.0 is the official standard, WCAG 2.1 Level AA is recommended and increasingly required.

2. Covers All ICT

Section 508 covers all information and communication technology — not just websites. This includes software, hardware, documents, and multimedia.

3. Procurement Requirements

Federal agencies must procure only accessible ICT. Contractors and vendors must provide VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) to demonstrate compliance.

4. Documentation is Required

Federal agencies must document their accessibility efforts and maintain compliance records.

Section 508 vs ADA — What's the Difference?

Who Must Comply with Section 508?

Section 508 applies to:

• All US federal agencies — Including executive branch agencies, departments, and commissions
• Federal contractors — Any company that does business with the federal government
• State and local governments — When receiving federal funding
• Vendors and suppliers — Companies providing ICT to federal agencies

If you're a federal contractor or vendor, you must ensure your websites, software, and documents are Section 508 compliant.

Section 508 Compliance Checklist

Websites

• ✅ All images have alt text (WCAG 1.1.1)
• ✅ Color contrast of 4.5:1 (WCAG 1.4.3)
• ✅ Keyboard accessibility (WCAG 2.1.1)
• ✅ Visible focus indicators (WCAG 2.4.7)
• ✅ Proper heading hierarchy (WCAG 1.3.1)
• ✅ Form labels (WCAG 3.3.2)
• ✅ Language declaration (WCAG 3.1.1)

Documents (PDFs, Word, Excel)

• ✅ Proper tags and reading order
• ✅ Alt text for images
• ✅ Language specification
• ✅ Form fields with labels
• ✅ Bookmarks for long documents

Software

• ✅ Keyboard accessibility
• ✅ Screen reader compatibility
• ✅ Focus indicators
• ✅ Color contrast
• ✅ Adjustable text size

How to Check If Your Website Is Section 508 Compliant

Step 1: Use a Free Accessibility Checker

Visit AccessiTool's free ADA compliance checker and enter your website URL. The tool scans against WCAG standards required by Section 508 and provides a detailed report in 60 seconds.

Step 2: Review Your Compliance Report

You'll receive a compliance score (0-100%), a list of violations, warnings, and passed checks — plus specific fix recommendations.

Step 3: Fix Critical Issues First

Start with the most critical violations: missing alt text, low color contrast, keyboard accessibility issues, and missing form labels.

Step 4: Create VPAT Documentation

If you're a federal contractor, create a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) to document your compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions — What is Section 508?

Internal Links — Section 508 Resources